[Chapter Size: 1000 Words.]
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Unlike war-torn King's Landing and the devastated Riverlands, Theon at Riverrun had finally completed his preliminary program.
At the same time, Theon selected the 4,000 most qualified men to form the First Iron-Salt Army. As its name suggested, the army was equipped with comprehensive military facilities and full logistical support. The cost of raising these 4,000 troops alone reached between 200,000 and 300,000 gold dragons.
The First Iron-Salt Army totaled 4,000 men: 500 fully armed Ironborn elites, with the remaining 3,500 also well equipped and organized under a complete internal structure.
What was most remarkable, however, was the discipline of this army. Combined with the Red Training Method, their military order had been utterly transformed. Their ability to act in unison under command outclassed any other force in Westeros.
Amice was appointed commander of the army, while Schiller became its military instructor, tasked with teaching the soldiers to read and instilling in them a sense of loyalty.
Two months were enough for Riverrun to recover, and as time passed, Theon felt the Red Wedding drawing near.
He had already received Tyrion's wedding invitation, though he had not even mentioned it to Myrcella.
After Tyrion's wedding would come Joffrey's, and the Red Wedding was expected to take place somewhere in between, though the exact timing remained uncertain.
From the frontlines, spies brought troubling news: House Karstark had returned north with half its men. Robb Stark had agreed to House Frey's demands and was preparing to travel to the Twins to apologize in person.
Theon was reviewing intelligence reports from the Omega reconnaissance team of the Riverlands when Tom Beale entered.
Tom Beale was one of the few men with business expertise whom Theon had personally selected, tasked with managing the operations of the central caravan.
Judging by Tom's expression, Theon knew at once the news was grim. "Tell me, what has happened?"
Tom hesitated, then said resolutely: "Your Grace, Kazim's food convoy has still not arrived."
Theon frowned. "Robbed? A hundred elite soldiers, don't tell me they were robbed?"
"No, not exactly. The problem is that Kazim lingered too long in Highgarden, delaying his journey by a week."
"Ha!" Theon laughed. This was typical of Kazim, always trying to shirk work, always making excuses about weather. Theon wondered why he had volunteered to join the caravan in the first place.
"When he returns, give him seven months in the dungeon. He delayed us by a week; he should be grateful his head wasn't taken."
Kazim had once been a poor boy who joined the Eternal Summer Infantry Regiment. Thanks to his natural strength and the bravery he showed at the Battle of the Blackwater, he had been knighted personally by Theon.
A mere fifteen-year-old from the slums, he had slain eleven enemies in combat and been elevated to knighthood by his own king, becoming one of the royal guards. Anyone would have been spoiled by such treatment.
And Theon truly liked the boy. Kazim was not only brave but clever. With proper discipline, he could easily grow into a commander fit to lead entire armies.
Tom Beale was shrewd enough to sense Theon's fondness for Kazim. "Your Grace," he said, "Kazim is still young. Half a month's confinement will be enough. If he spends longer in a cell, he may turn bitter."
Theon set down his cup and nodded. "Then half a month it is. And make sure he treats you to a meal afterward."
Tom grinned. "Of course, Your Grace. Of course."
Seeing this, Theon could not help but laugh and waved his hand. "Very well, go on then."
Upon returning to Riverrun, Theon organized a central caravan to purchase grain across the Riverlands in preparation for the coming Long Night, when no crops could be grown.
Originally, Theon had planned to expose Lysa Tully and Littlefinger's conspiracy to murder Jon Arryn and then secure Joffrey's appointment as Warden of the Vale.
But plans often fail to keep pace with reality. When he arrived in King's Landing, Theon realized things were not so simple. Even if he revealed the truth, all he could achieve would be the ruin of Littlefinger's reputation.
Lysa Tully might be punished by the Vale lords, but Robin Arryn remained heir, and outsiders could not easily pass the Bloody Gate.
In that case, it was better to wait until the Riverlands fully fell into his hands, and then use them to pressure Littlefinger and drain the Vale of its wealth.
In truth, it all came down to strength. According to Maester Stan, the entire population of the Iron Islands numbered barely over 80,000, less than a fifth of King's Landing.
With so little arable land, it was no wonder the Ironborn had developed a culture of reaving. The barren isles could never grow enough food to sustain their people.
The only blessing was the vast iron mines of Great Wyk. Maester Stan reported that with sufficient slave labor, Great Wyk's output could guarantee the Iron Islands would never again lack weapons.
Population, however, remained the greatest obstacle to their development.
Fortunately, the Riverlands would soon be Theon's. Once he secured them, he could turn his attention back to ruling the Iron Islands, linking the Riverlands and the Ironborn under one rule.
By then, the Iron Fleet would serve as a man-made "natural barrier" protecting Riverrun's heartlands.
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